The Guaita tower on the cliffs of Monte Titano above San Marino

Sovereign Enclaves

Europe's microstates

Seven historic sovereign enclaves, cliffside citadels, and compact principalities that have preserved their distinct identity for centuries.

Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.

7 countries

Featured Countries

AndorraCountry atlas →LiechtensteinCountry atlas →LuxembourgCountry atlas →MaltaCountry atlas →MonacoCountry atlas →San MarinoCountry atlas →Vatican CityCountry atlas →

Curated Guides

Destination Guides (19)

Andorra

Andorra la Vella & Escaldes

Europe's highest capital: a medieval parliament, thermal baths & a UNESCO valley

2 days

The bell tower of Sant Serni de Canillo with the mountains of the Valira valley behind

Andorra

Canillo, Soldeu & Grandvalira

Andorra's big ski area, Romanesque churches & the sanctuary of Meritxell

2–4 days

The Romanesque church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada in the Ordino valley

Andorra

Ordino & La Massana

Andorra's quiet north: stone villages, flower meadows & high lakes

2 days

The high valley of Malbun with its chalets and meadows

Liechtenstein

Malbun & Triesenberg

Liechtenstein's Alps: a Walser village, a family ski resort & ridge walks

1–2 days

Liechtenstein

Vaduz & the Rhine valley

A prince's castle, a black-cube art museum & vineyards on the Rhine

1–2 days

The Schiessentümpel cascade under its stone bridge in the Mullerthal

Luxembourg

Echternach & the Mullerthal

Luxembourg's oldest town & the sandstone gorges of 'Little Switzerland'

2 days

The Grund quarter and Neumünster Abbey in the Alzette valley below the old town walls

Luxembourg

Luxembourg City

A fortress capital split by gorges: casemates, the Grund & a glass Kirchberg

2 days

Autumn vineyards above the village of Schengen on the Moselle

Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Moselle

Riverside vineyards, crémant cellars & the village that named Schengen

1–2 days

Vianden Castle on its wooded hill above the Our valley

Luxembourg

Vianden & the Luxembourg Ardennes

Castles over wooded valleys: Vianden, Clervaux & the Upper Sûre

2 days

The Cittadella of Victoria on its hill above the Gozitan countryside

Malta

Gozo

Malta's greener sister: temples older than the pyramids, red sand & sea cliffs

2–3 days

Brightly painted luzzu fishing boats moored in Marsaxlokk harbour

Malta

Marsaxlokk & southern Malta

Painted fishing boats, the Blue Grotto & temples on the southern cliffs

1 day

The dome and bell towers of St Paul's Cathedral rising over the walls of Mdina

Malta

Mdina & Rabat

The silent walled city on Malta's ridge & the catacombs beneath Rabat

1 day

The turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon between Comino and Cominotto

Malta

Mellieħa & Comino

Malta's sandy north, the Blue Lagoon & the island in between

2 days

Spinola Bay in St Julian's with fishing boats and the waterfront

Malta

Sliema & St Julian's

Seafront promenades, harbour ferries to Valletta & Malta's nightlife

2 days

Valletta's skyline with the dome of the Carmelite church and St Paul's spire across Marsamxett Harbour

Malta

Valletta & the Three Cities

The Knights' fortress capital, Caravaggio & the harbour of the Great Siege

2 days

Monaco

Monaco-Ville & Le Rocher

The Grimaldi palace, a cliff-top aquarium & the old town on the Rock

1 day

Monaco

Monte Carlo

Belle Époque casino, superyacht harbour & the Grand Prix streets

1–2 days

San Marino

San Marino & Monte Titano

A hilltop republic of three towers, sheer cliffs & Adriatic views

1 day

St Peter's Square and Bernini's colonnades seen from the dome of St Peter's Basilica

Vatican City

The world's smallest state: St Peter's, the Sistine Chapel & the papal museums

1 day

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